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Committee approves bill matching Racing Commission rules on local letters of support for casino applications
Summary
Senate committee passed a bill mirroring proposed Racing Commission rules to require that local letters of support for county casino applications accompany an application; members debated fairness to counties such as Polk and Jefferson before approving the amended bill by voice vote.
The Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee voted to pass legislation (listed in committee as Senate Bill 185 as amended) aligning state statute with proposed Racing Commission rules that letters of local support accompany casino applications.
Senator Davis said the bill’s purpose is to mirror the Racing Commission’s proposed draft rules and “ensure that whenever a county judge, a court reporter, mayor submit a letter of support for a casino in a specific county that it accompanies an application.” He said the language is intended to promote “a fair, open, transparent application process.”
Committee members raised whether the bill would disadvantage certain counties. One member recounted that Polk County opposition had fueled local concern; Senator Ballinger disclosed his firm had worked with Polk County citizens and asked whether the bill would prevent Jefferson County, where local officials are supportive, from moving forward. Senator Davis replied that the bill would not bar Jefferson County from applying and reiterated the intent to follow Amendment 100’s transparency goals.
Members moved and seconded a do-pass on the amendment and later voted to give the bill a due-pass as amended; both actions were approved by voice vote.
The committee recorded the bill as passed out of committee and will send the amended language forward for further consideration on the Senate calendar.
